Since our conversation of yesterday, I have had the matter under reflection.

What we have all along been driving at is to restore as nearly as practicable, consistently with convenience, what may be supposed to have been the [743]original aspect of the ground on the sea front of your house. Previous occupants had grubbed out the indigenous growth, had filled up natural depressions; reduced elevations, covered rocks, and done much to obtain a smooth garden and lawn-like character. Our grading operations have been wholly directed to an approximate restoration of a natural surface. We suppose that the valleys made are very nearly the original valleys. Such variation from the original conditions of the surface as there may be are favorable to the more rapid flowing off of water in storms; to better outlooks from your windows, and at a few points to prevent people passing on the “Cliff Walk” from being as conspicuous as they otherwise would be.

So much has been done. Unquestionably the aim has been the reverse of that customarily adopted, and which has been sanctioned by fashion, and with results that have become pleasing by association with pleasing social circumstances.

Nevertheless these results would seem incongruous and unbecoming in such close connection as they would need to be in your case, with the ruggedness of the adjoining rocks. They would have the effect of a satin scarf and white kid gloves worn with a shooting jacket. Moreover, we must keep in mind that the sea, the breakers and the rocks make up a landscape, the command of which gives the chief special value to your property. It seems to us that anything like an ordinary, even, lawn-like surface of the narrow space between your house and rocks would be but a feeble and discomposing foreground to such a landscape.

We have thought it would be better to attempt to cover the surface with bodies of low foliage similar, at least in general aspect, to that which occurs naturally along the shore, and which we suppose to have been on your ground before the attempt was made to give it a dressy lawn-like character.

There are objections to making this attempt. (a) There is a question of its complete success. (b) It cannot, at best, be made completely successful in one year or in two. In the mean time, what will be seen, while never as disagreeable as what you have seen this year, may yet seem strange and queer, and to those who cannot regard it as they would regard a structure in the process of building, and as pleasing because of promised results, it will probably continue to give occasion for disparaging comments if not for ridicule. (c) Finally, while we think it certain that if the intended result were once reached, it would be generally thought pleasingly appropriate to the situation, Mrs. Vanderbilt may be right in her conviction that it would not gratify her own, special personal tastes.

From respect to these considerations but more particularly to the last, we cannot longer urge our views.

There are three prominent alternatives.

First; to have nothing but turf between the house and the rocks. This is the easiest, and in respect to early outlay, the cheapest thing to do. A fairly finished result could, with a favorable season, be obtained next year. It would least provoke criticism. It would be more convenient with reference to strolling away from the house toward the sea. It would give the least harbor for mosquitoes.

I need not repeat the objections I have before made to it. If it is to be [744]adopted, we should advise a recurrence to the suggestion that you once made, of carrying on the present rough wall along the north beach so as to connect it with the rocks; completely shutting the “Cliff Walk” and the low ground out of view from the house, and {making a smooth connection} between the turf on the North with that to be formed on the sea-front of the house.

Second; modify the last plan slightly by the introduction of low foliage among the rocks and on the steeper places.

Third; aim at something intermediate between what we have hitherto designed and the last, by having considerable breadths of turf in the valleys, but retaining the wall as it now is, and having broadish bodies of low bushes, vines and creepers near the rocks and upon the steeper and rougher places, where it will be difficult to preserve turf in good order.

If on the whole you think it better to adopt the first of the alternatives, above proposed, orders for plants not yet arrived can be countermanded, and such plants as have been obtained can be transferred to your brother for use at Bar Harbor.

It would take longer to secure a finished character to the place under the last method than under either of the others and it would require an unusual exercise of garden handicraft to get the better of hard, unnatural lines along the edges of the mowed ground, but it could be done, and, we think, that, with the necessary exercise of patience, while waiting the growth of the plants under the peculiar difficulties of the locality, the chances are that the results would be gratifying. But there is no doubt that it will require patience in a greater degree than either of the other two and we would not like to have you adopt it unless well assured that you could abide by it.

We sincerely trust that whatever your conclusion as to the planting, you will agree with Mr. Peabody on some form of broad level platform at the foot of the eastern steps.

Please let us hear from you.

Though you decide contrary to our advice we will try to help you to the best results practicable.

Yours Sincerely